The Obscura 1C has slowly and iteratively developed over the course of approximately one and a half years. Its development has been part of a broader research program designing counterfunctional devices that negate, reverse, and invert ordinary and expected functions to create new counter functions.
Design
In addition to producing a set of functionally operational Obscura 1C cameras, a complete set of packaging and instructional materials were produced for distribution. A great deal of thought and care went into the design of the packages included concern with the usability and “out of the box experience” as well as the device’s “conceptual usability”.
Production
To date I have batch-produced approximately 20 Obscura 1C cameras and plan to produce more. The ability to batch-produce the cameras at low-cost was a primary consideration in our design. The total cost of materials for each camera is approximately $20.
Early operational prototypes included a display that counted up with each image taken (“0001”, “0002”, etc.). Plans were also made to include a viewfinder. While Ihave successfully built and continue to develop versions with displays, I ended up proceeding with a simpler version for batch production. This version makes use of an inexpensive digital camera costing approximately $10. To produce the Obscura 1C, the camera electronics are removed and sealed in protective thermoplastic (HMA) and acrylic support pieces. This is then cast in Rocktite™ patching cement using a custom mold. (Technically, the Obscura 1C is cast in cement, not concrete.) The cast forms are then roughly sanded only to deburr the sharp edges, leaving a distinctly hand-cast look and feel. Next, laser-cut button assemblies are installed. Finally, the cameras are tested prior to physically removing the data pins from the USB charging port—effectively sealing off access to the SD memory card buried inside. The Obscura 1C cameras currently take several hours each to construct.
Cost, ease of production, and robustness of the end product were the main reasons I opted for a version that did not
include a numerical display or viewfinder. This also required us to rely on a low-quality image sensor producing grainy images reminiscent of security camera videos. Interestingly, while these decisions were initially viewed as worthwhile tradeoffs, they were quickly reconstituted as additional counterfunctional features and advertised as such in the product packaging. The lack of a display and viewfinder added elements of uncertainty and surprise, while the lower resolution camera created images perceptually distinct from normal digital photos
Distribution
Some Obscura 1C cameras were distributed via Craigslist “Free” and For Sale” ads. Other distribution outlets included local retail partnerships, community bulletin boards, and guerilla tactics such as “droplifting” (leaving a product in a retail store). Below are some responses to the Craigslist ads:
- Hi, I'm super interested in buying one of these cameras. I love film photography so the idea of something digital giving a film like experience (delayed gratification etc.) is really interesting…
- I would love to have a camera. I think I'd want to use it as a sort of time capsule, but I would probably not last very long without smashing it. This whole idea looks like a whole lot of fun.
- … sounds like an awesome project. … we'll be working on a startup from home. I think it would be awesome to have an Obscura Camera in our main work room periodically documenting our work.
- Perfect! Reminds me of being a kid in Montana, saving money to buy one roll of film. Then carefully planning out 12 shots and waiting 2 weeks for the film to be processed and mailed back. You have a great idea here..
Related Publications
Pierce, J. & Paulos, E. (2015.) Making Multiple Uses of the Obscura 1C Digital Camera: Reflecting on the Design, Production, Packaging and Distribution of a Counterfunctional Device. Proc. of CHI 2015. ACM Press.
Pierce, J. and Paulos, E. (2015). Obscura 1C Digital Camera. In Proceedings of Research Through Design Conference, Cambridge, UK. RtD'15